Good Pain vs Bad Pain

A typical question my Pilates trainer throws at me mid-session:
“Is it good pain or bad pain?”

At first, it confused me.
Pain is pain, right?

But he patiently explained:
That dull soreness in your muscles after a tough set? That’s good pain.
That sudden pull in your lower back after hip extensions? That’s bad pain.

Good pain builds.
Bad pain breaks.

And though both hurt in the moment, they carry very different consequences.

That got me thinking deeper — beyond workouts.
Pain shows up in every growth journey.

I feel like a fool when I learn something new — but that’s good pain. It’s stretching my mind.
I feel awkward and clumsy during tough workouts — but that’s good pain. It’s building my body.
I feel restless and bored when I slow down — but that’s good pain. It sparks my creativity.
I feel nervous before hard conversations — but that’s good pain. It’s growing my courage.
I feel lost when life unravels — but that, too, can be good pain. It clears the path.

Growth isn’t soft and easy.
It often arrives disguised as discomfort.
But there’s a world of difference between productive pain and destructive pain.

Good pain pushes.
Bad pain punishes.
One deepens your roots.
The other erodes your foundation.

Now I ask myself, in all areas of life —
“Is this discomfort helping me grow, or is it quietly breaking me down?”

That single filter helps me stay the course.
Because if it’s good pain, I’ll lean into it.
If it’s bad pain, I’ll pause and protect.

Pain is inevitable. But choosing the right kind — that’s wisdom.